The Growing Sophistication of Penang Palates

Written by Administrator II

Thursday, 02 May 2013 09:08

Article and Photos by HELEN ONG Penang is growing not just in the number of condominium blocks shooting up all over the state but also by population: a large number of people are choosing to come and live here because of everything we have to offer. This is evident in the much bigger choice that we now have in food and beverage, particularly wines to cater for an increasingly sophisticated palate which is seeking finer, more elegant tipples. In fact, according to Sunny Teh, Assistant Sales Manager of Giant Estates Sdn Bhd’s The Wine Shop in town, the pendulum is now swinging back, and there is an emerging preference for fine old world wines, with French labels leading the way. For the first time, a wine appreciation event organised by French wine merchants Barriere Freres in conjunction with their local representative The Wine Shop was held here on 30 April at the E&O Hotel’s brand new Victory Annex. ‘Bordeaux Rendezvous’ 2013 was designed to promote French wines in Asia, and showcased some prestigious labels from the Bordeaux region in south-western France. With some ten thousand chateaux, this wine region is the largest vineyard in France and indeed the world, according to Celine Villars-Foubet, proprietor of Chateau de Camensac in the Haut Medoc Appellation. The afternoon started with a Master Class of 2010 vintages conducted by the 23 representatives who were on a whistle-stop tour in Penang after similar events in Singapore and Bangkok. They were on their way to Indonesia the next day.  The class was followed by a Wine Dinner in the hotel’s splendid new fifth floor ballroom. The food, served buffet-style, was designed by Executive ChefPetr Feherspecially to go with the more complex and rounded Appellation Controlee wines and included a tasty but not too spicy Beef Rendang and Prawns with Glass Noodles. “This is the most important wine event not only in Malaysia but South East Asia,” claimed Laurent Ehrmann, Managing Director of Maison Barriere in his welcoming speech to the 140+ guests present, mostly wine connoisseurs who were both private collectors and trade professionals.   26 2002/2003 vintages were available for tasting that evening, from younger, fruitier Clos Fourtet from St Emillion to the Chateau Leoville Poyferre, St Julien which retails for RM1010.00 per bottle. Dessert wines included some sweet sauternes.  “It was a very successful evening,” said Teh. “All the principles were very happy, and some even commented that they felt the event had gone better than in Singapore!” Bordeaux wines will be available for purchase at The Wine Shop, or alternatively to consume at their cosy Wine Bar next door. The Wine Shop, 15 Lintang Burmah, 10250, Pulau Pinang Tel: +604 226 0331.